Locations/Showings
Featuring Mainstream &
Art House Choices

Forum
Scary Movie 3 was neither scary nor a movie. Discuss this & more.

Reviews
Glorifications & Executions of the latest Movies, DVDs, and television shows.

Flashback Flicks
Krull and other "Lost" Classics get their day in the sun.

Crapmasterpieces
So darn crappy they're hilariously brilliant.

TV Highlights
Boob Tube Playtime!

Calendar
A movie/tv related calendar. Covers openings, DVD release dates, conventions etc.

21 Grams

Starring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio Del Toro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Melissa Leo, Clea DuVall
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Reviewed by Chris Ching

Deja vu. This is the second time in 2003 where I've watched Sean Penn hold a gun over a man on bended knee deciding whether or not to pull the trigger. The first was in Mystic River and now he does the judge, jury, executioner thing in Alejandro González Iñárritu's 21 Grams. If there ever was an argument against the Academy of Motion Pictures' rule forbidding an actor to be nominated twice in the same Oscar category than it's Penn's towering performances in both these films.

I'd have to give the edge to 21 Grams though. Where Mystic River meandered down a predictable brook in its last half hour, 21 Grams roars out of the gate and never lets up. This emotional tale of three lives brought together by harrowing tragedy is a dark, moody masterpiece and most of 21 Gram's greatness lies on Penn's shoulders. Playing a man on death's door waiting for a heart donor, the once and (hopefully) future Jeff Spicoli scores with an intensely naturalistic performance. Where at times in Mystic River I thought he was just flossing on scenery, his 21 Grams work had me believing in every word and action. Like so many of his roles, he is the character.

His honesty is crucial since 21 Grams will throw you off at first. In true mindf**k Memento style, the common movie linear structure is repeatedly broken apart by scenes from the future and the past where Penn and co-stars Naomi Watts and Benicio del Torro's storylines weave within and without each other. For the first fifteen minutes, you're left unsure of where this trip is going to take you and once you do, the easily disturbed will have wished they plunked down $8.50 for some safe Xmas pap like Cheaper by the Dozen or Mona Lisa Smile. For those who like their drama served raw and unsympathetic, then 21 Grams will definately get under your skin.

To harp on the plot would dull its impact for those who have not seen the movie. Suffice it to say, Penn's co-stars do great work too especially Naomi Watts. The anger she musters in one particular scene will ring true for any one who has lost someone and isn't content with "life goes on" sentimentalities. Benicio Del Torro, a "method" man to rival Penn, will move you as a reformed ex-con who has put his life in God's hands only to have God throw him back.

Director Iñárritu, whose breakthrough in the States, Amores Perros, shares many plot similarities with 21 Grams, also brings the viewer in with intimate handheld camera work and some of the grittiest film stock this side of a community college 16 millimeter film class. Fans of Robert Altman and Quentin Tarantino will also get their jollies off the aforementioned narrative structure and how he revisits scenes from different illuminating perspectives.

Still, you'll keep on coming back to Penn's performance. When he is trying to coax a fragile Naomi Watts out of her depression and go for a bite to eat, his subtle acting will break your heart. You'll want to go grab a burger with the guy too.

Rating: (4 out of 4 stars)

Want to discuss this, and other topics, with fellow fans?

Post your thoughts in the SJ Fanboy Forum now!